Aquatic apparatus with buoyancy control structure

ABSTRACT

A floatable-submersible aquatic apparatus including a substantially hollow shell exteriorly configured in the shape of an aquatic animal. The shell is provided with fore and aft ports to permit the free ingress and egress of water through the shell. The interior of the shell is provided with first and second buoyancy control members which are attached longitudinally along first and second lateral surfaces of the shell. Each control member includes a chamber which may be selectively filled with air through a valve. Inside of each chamber is positioned a block of floatable polystyrene material to maintain minimum buoyancy of the apparatus. The aquatic apparatus may also include a snorkel operably connectable through an upper and lower portion thereof.

United States Patent [1 1 Winters 1 Aug. 7, 1973 i 1 AQUATIC APPARATUSWITH BUOYANCY CONTROL STRUCTURE [76] Inventor: Mary M. Winters, 3815 NW.193

Ter., Miami, Fla. 33054 [22] Filed: Jan. 13, 1972 [21] Appl. No.:217,528

[52] U.S. Cl. 272/1 B, 9/2 R, 273/DIG. 2,

Primary Examiner-Richard C. Pinkham Assistant Examiner-R. T. StoufferAttorney-James E. Cockfield 57 ABSTRACT A floatable-submersible aquaticapparatus including a substantially hollow shell exteriorly configuredin the shape of an aquatic animal. The shell is provided with fore andaft ports to permit the free ingress and egress of water through theshell. The interior of the shell is provided with first and secondbuoyancy control members which are attached longitudinally along firstand second lateral surfaces of the shell. Each control member includes achamber which may be selectively filled with air through a valve. Insideof each chamber is positioned a block of floatable polystyrene materialto maintain minimum buoyancy of the apparatus. The aquatic apparatus mayalso include a snorkel operably connectable through an upper and lowerportion thereof.

10 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures AQUATIC APPARATUS WITH BUOYANCY CONTROLSTRUCTURE RELATED PATENTS This invention relates to and is animprovement of my invention disclosed and claimedin U.S. Pat. No.3,491,997 entitled Swimming Aid Capable of Undergoing Porpoise-LikeLeaping Movement."

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to afloatable-submersible aquatic apparatus. More particularly the inventionrelates to a floatablesubmersible aquatic apparatus designed to functionas a swimming aid, floating article support, surfing aid, etc. Moreover,the invention relates to a floatable-submersible apparatus which may beexteriorly configured in the shape of and which may be suitable to havethe operational characteristics of an aquatic animal, such as forexample, a porpoise or do]- phin, shark, sea turtle, seal and the like.

A variety of buoyant aquatic devices have been previously developed toserve as swimming aids and/or amusement devices. Moreover, some of thesepreviously known devices have been configured in the shape of aquaticanimals. Such devices, however, while providing a degree of utility areprimarily limited in their operational characteristics to riding devicesdesigned to buoyantly support a person generally above the surface ofabody of water. It would be highly desirable to provide an aquatic devicewhich may be utilized in a range of operational modes much broader thanthe above noted aquatic devices.

More specifically it would be highly desirable to provide a swimming aidcapable of operating over a wide range of movements including generallyhorizontal movement along the surface of a body of water, diving beneaththe surface of a body of water, leaping movements in the water, andmovement from a horizontal to a substantially vertical orientationwithin a body of water, much in the way that a porpoise movesfrom aswimmingposition to a stationary, nearly vertical posture.

Further, scuba divers have experienced difficulty in certain areas insupporting spare tanks of air, buoyantly supporting a scuba divers flagto warn of underwater activity, andeffectively deterring predatory fishsuch as for example, sharks. A buoyant device which could deter sharksfrom entering an area, support articles such as spare air tanks. andeffectively support a scuba divers flag would obviously be of immensevalue.

Applicant has previously created a device which meets at least some ofthe foregoing needs. Such a device is described and claimed inapplicants previously noted U.S. Pat. No. 3,491,997. The disclosure ofthis patent is hereby incorporated by reference as though set forth atlength.

Notwithstanding, however, the advantageous utility and structuraldesirability of applicant's above referred to aquatic device, room forsignificant functional and structural innovation remains.

In this connection, it would be highly desirable to provide afloatable-submersible aquatic device retaining the operationalcapability of applicant's prior device while adding a surfing capabilitythereto. Further, it would be desirable to provide afloatable-submersible aquatic device having a degree of roll stability.Additionally, it would be desirable to provide a floatablesubmersibleaquatic device suitable to retain the operational capability ofapplicants prior device while minimizing manufacturing difficulties andexpense.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is therefore a general object of theinvention to provide an aquatic apparatus which will meet at least someof the desirable characteristics previously described.

It is a particular object of the invention to provide an aquatic devicesuitable for utilization in a wide range of operational modes. I

It is another object of the invention to provide an aquatic deviceconfigured in the shape of an aquatic animal capable of utilization in awide range of operational modes which may be readily and convenientlymanufactured.

It is still another object of the invention to provide an aquatic deviceretaining the operational capability of applicants previously patenteddevice while adding a surfing capability thereto.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an aquatic deviceretaining the operational capability of applicants previously patenteddevice, while adding a degree of roll stability thereto.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide an aquaticapparatus having a minimum buoyancy which may be readily increased.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A preferred embodiment of the inventionsuitable to accomplish at least some of the foregoing objects comprisesa generally elongate hollow shell exteriorly fashioned in theconfiguration of an aquatic animal and having a fore and aft portfashioned therein to provide for the free ingress and egress of waterthrough the shell. A first buoyancy control member is connectedinteriorly and longitudinally along .a first lateral interior surface ofthe shell and a second buoyancy control member is connected interiorlyand longitudinally along a second lateral interior surface of the shelloppo sitely spaced from the first lateral interior surface of the shell.

THE DRAWINGS Other objects and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following detailed description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a floatablesubmersible aquaticapparatus having the configuration of a porpoise with a water port inthe fore and aft portions thereof to permit the free ingress and egressof water longitudinally through the shell.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the aquatic apparatus of FIG. I disclosing firstand second buoyancy control memberspositioned interiorly within theshell andalong opposite interior surfaces thereof;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line 3-3 of FIG. 2;and

FIG. 4 is a snorkel device operably adapted to be positioned throughapertures in the upper. and lower surfaces of the aquatic device asillustrated in phantom in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to the drawings andparticularly in FIG. 1 thereof there will be seen a preferred embodimentof the subject invention comprising an aquatic apparatus including agenerally closed hollow body means 1 configured externally to resemblethe natural shape of a porpoise or dolphin. It should be realized,however, that other aquatic animal configurations may be utilized suchas, for example, a shark, sea turtle, a seal or the like. A finsimulation member 2 and a snorkel 3 may be selectively connected to thehollow body means 1 for use in operational modes which will be discussedmore fully hereinafter. Left and right buoyancy control chambers 4 and 5respectively (note FIG. 2) are attached to interior longitudinalsurfaces of the hollow body means 1 and serve a multiplicity offunctions also to be discussed in detail hereinafter.

The body means 1 includes a generally closed shell 101. The shell 101 isprovided with ports 102 and 103 in the fore and aft ends thereofrespectively. The ports provide an avenue for the free ingress andegress of water through the shell to effectively keep the aquatic deviceat a realistic depth in the water and enable water to flow freelythrough the body without impeding forward movement thereof.

The shell 101 may be formed with an integral tail portion 106, note FIG.2, including laterally extending flukes 107. The tail flukes serve tosupport a rider, particularly when the aquatic device is manipulated ina generally erect posture within a body of water. Further, integrallyformed with the body shell 101 are a pair of flippers 108. One flipperis fashioned on each lateral surface of the body member and extendsgenerally normally therefrom. The flippers thus positioned serve as handholds for a person utilizing the device and aesthetically providethe'aquatic device with a realistic porpoise appearance.

The body shell 101 may be fabricated from a suitable plastic materialsuch as, for example, polyethylene or acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrenecopolymer resin (ABS) so as to have structural integrity. The body shellmay be made in one complete part if blow molding or rotational moldingtechniques are utilized or in two parts comprising, as best illustratedin FIG. 3, a top half 104 and a bottom half 105, if vacuum forming orinjection molding techniques are utilized. The two parts may bepermanently sealed together if vacuum formed or snapped together ifinjection molded in order to form a complete body shell 101 in the shapeof an aquatic animal. 1

A dorsal fin 201 may be operably connectable to an upper aft portion ofthe shell 101. As illustrated in FIG. 1 the outer surface of the dorsalfin 201 is provided with indicia simulating a scuba diver flag. Thisindicia is provided on both sides of the fin 201 and includes first andsecond red portions 204 and 205 separated by a diagonal white stripe206. The dorsal fin 201 is preferably formed with an extension 202. Theextension 202 may be generally rectangular in cross-section and isadapted to be received within a compatibly dimensioned recess 110 sunkinto the shell The dorsal fin 201 may be operably connected to the shell101 by an interference fit. If a more rigid connection is desired, asuitable threaded connection, such as a bolt and wing nut combinationmay be utilized.

Operationally, the dorsal fin 201 is utilized with the snorkel 3 duringskin diving operations. The special color design of the fin is a warningsignal for crafts to stay clear of the immediate area, therebyprotecting someone utilizing the aquatic device and swimming beneath thesurface of the body of water.

Turning now to FIG. 4 there will be seen a snorkel 3 including a conduit301 having attached at a lower end thereof a mouthpiece 302. The conduit301 is fashioned having a bend 303 therein and is adapted to receiveover an upper end thereof a retaining ring 304 which may be held inplace by an interference fit.

When a swimmer desires to utilize the aquatic device in a skin divingmode of operation, the snorkel 3 may be positioned through an aperture112 in the lower body surface of shell 101 and an aperture 113 in theupper body surface as illustrated in phantom in FIG. 1. The curvedportion of the snorkel 303 abuts against the outer belly surface of thebody member 101 and the retainer ring 304 may then be slipped intoposition to secure the snorkel in an operational mode to be discussed inmore detail hereinafter.

Turning again to FIGS. 1-3, there will be seen positioned interiorly ofthe shell-101 a pair of spaced buoyancy control means 4 and 5,respectively.

Buoyancy control means 4 includes an outer shell structure 401 which maybe composed of a flexible vinyl material or a rigid self-supportingplastic as desired. The shell 401 is provided at one end with a conduit402 having a suitable valve member 403 connected to the free end thereoffor admitting air and/or water into the interior of the shell 401 asdesired. The shell 401 thus forms a suitable closure for retaining airand/or water to control the buoyancy thereof and the buoyancy of theaquatic device. The outer shell 401 may be attached in a longitudinalposture to a lateral interior surface of thebody shell 101 by gluing,heat welding or other fastening techniques as desired.

Connected to the shell 401 is a generally elongated bar 405 composed ofa solid floatable material having a specific gravity of less than one.This material may be composed of, for example cellular polystyrene. Thesolid floatation bar 405 may be connected to shell 401 as desired bybeing firmly encased within the shell or loosely floatable within theinterior of the shell, or connected thereto by an enclosure exterior ofthe shell. While the drawings depict the solid floatation bar as beingintegral end to end, segmented units of solid floatation material arealso contemplated.

Laterally spaced from buoyancy control means 4 and connected to theoppositev lateral interior surface of the body shell 101 is buoyancycontrol chamber 5. The buoyancy control chamber 5 is identical withbuoyancy control chamber 4 and includes a generally closed exteriorshell 501 and connected thereto a solid floatation bar 505.

The solid floatation bars 405 and 505 provide a fixed minimum buoyancyfor the aquatic device while the outer shell structures 401 and 501provide a variable buoyancy capability.

MODE OF OPERATION Having now described the structure of a preferredembodiment of the subject invention, several modes of operationutilizing the aquatic device within a body of water may be performed. 7

A person may use the aquatic device in one mode by removing the dorsalfin 2 from its top mounting and laying longitudinally along the topsurface of the body, grasping flippers 108. The person thus supported onthe aquatic device may produce a porpose-like generally horizontalswimming movement through the water by kicking his feet. orpose-likeleaping action may be effected by deflating buoyancy control chambers401 and 501, shifting the operators body weight forward and downward andkicking both feet alternately.

The combination of water flowing through fore and aft ports 102 and 103and the placement of the control buoyancy chambers 4 and 5 on lateralinternal surfaces of the aquatic device effectively stabilizes thedevice against undue lateral roll, while at the same time keeping thedevice in a realistic looking depth for an aquatic animal swimming onthe surface of a body of water.

If desired, an operator may also swim beneath the aquatic device byinserting the snorkel 3 up through the bottom hole 112 and the top hole113 and securing the upper threaded fastener 305 in place. The snorkelmouthpiece 302 may be firmly held within the riders mouth and the personmay breathe easily and freely while lying face down within the body ofwater completely submerged beneath the aquatic device.

An amusing whale-like spouting effect may be produced by letting thesnorkel mouthpiece 302 drop from the mouth so that water may enter thetube 301 and quickly inserting the snorkel within the operators mouthand blowing, thus expelling the water from the snorkel tube in aspouting fashion.

To simulate playing catch ball, the buoyancy control chambers 4 and 5may be inflated and a rider may position himself upon the tail flukes107 and grasp the flippers 108. This position will induce the aquaticdevice to sit upright in the water. Children may then have fun tossingarticles into the open mouth or port 102 while the rider rocks back andforth, side to side, helping to catch the article in the mouth. Therider may also dive and catch articles in the mouth of the aquaticdevice while swimming under water.

While in the position of sitting on the tail flukes a rider may simulatea porpose tail walk. In this connection, backward movement may beachieved by kicking ones feet forward. Completely inflating controlbuoyancy chamber 4 and 5 will keep the porpoise standing high out of thewater, making for an easy backward motion.

With chambers 4 and 5 deflated, the porpoise will stand upright in thewater while the rider is sitting on the tail flukes but in a much lowerposition. This lower position serves to simulate a porpoise or aquaticanimal waiting with his mouth open for someone to throw him a fish.Eating of the fish may, of course, be simultated by this inventionthrough disappearance of the object through the mouth 102.

By completely inflating the control buoyancy cham-' bers 4 and 5 andlying longitudinally along the top of the aquatic apparatus, a personcan surf on ocean waves. The waves will flow through the rear or aftaperture 103 and push against the air filled chambers 4 and 5 therebyproviding a thrilling and fast ride to the shore.

The particular design of the buoyancy control chambers 4 and 5 insidethe aquatic apparatus serves as a significant aid for non-swimmers. Inthis connection by initially completely inflating the buoyancy chambersa non-swimmer may learn to swim by letting out a small amount of aireach day and in this way gaining confideuce. It should be noted,however, that even with both buoyancy control chambers 4 and 5 deflated,the solid bars provide the apparatus with sufficient buoyancy to supportthe weight of the rider. This built-in safety feature adds to theconfidence of a non-swimmer and enables one to have fun while learning.

The invention is also a suitable tool for scuba divers in that thedevice may be effectively utilized as a buoyant equipment support sothat spare air tanks and gear may be handy suspended in a submergedposture. Further, a diver may utilize the support apparatus whilechanging tanks or resting. By attaching a monofilament line to theapparatus and then to a divers weight belt, a diver can maintain theporpoise following directly over his head on the surface of the body ofwater. In this connection the fore and aft ports of the aquatic devicepermits the device to ride easily through the water. When the object ofa divers search is generally located, the diver may then utilize theapparatus as a stationary base of operations by anchoring the device toa rock or other stationary object. If a diver encounters trouble andmust drop his weight belt, as is the normal procedure, the device willremain fairly well anchored and the diver may ascend to the surface andhold on to the device until help arrives. The location of a diver may beeasily detected in that the large: bright red dorsal fin secured to theback of the aquatic device is a readily recognizable signal.

in a further mode of operation, a diver may drive the apparatus underwater with or without his equipment attached. In this way, the largeaquatic structure serves to ward off predatory fish, such as sharks.Further, the apparatus, because of its hard self-supporting exteriorstructure may be maneuvered under water to serve as a shield in case ofattack from a shark. Additionally, by utilizing the aquatic device asscuba gear, a diver may explore along the surface of a body of water andsave his air tanks until reaching an area where tanks would be needed.

While several modes of operation utilizing the subject' aquaticapparatus have been described above, those skilled in the art willreadily recognize a multiplicity of additional operational modes.

MAJOR ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION A principal advantage of the instantinvention resides in the manner in which the hollow body containing anopen port in the front and rear cooperates with the buoyancy controlchambers to provide a realistic aquatic animal action in response to themanual manip-.

ulation of an individual supported by the aquatic apparatus. Otherprincipal advantages include the manner in which the apparatus willenable a person to swim either on the surface of the body of water orsubmerge and in positions ranging from horizontal to substantiallyvertical orientation. Further the placement and location of the controlbuoyancy chambers and openings fore and aft of the aquatic devicecontributes to the ability of the device to be manipulated in a uniqueleaping, porpoise-like action.

Another advantage pertains to the manner in which the apparatus providesa buoyant scuba diver flag support in combination with a support whichcan adequately carry divers gear, such as spare tanks, cameras, spearguns, etc.

A significant and independent aspect of the subject invention comprisesthe buoyancy control members, including the combination of a solidfloatation bar and a fluid receivable chamber which advantageouslyprovides a minimum fixed buoyancy with add on buoyancy capability.Moreover, the fore and aft ports in the aquatic device permits forwardmovement of the apparatus through the water in a generally submergedposture without excessive drag. Additionally, the spaced buoyancycontrol members provide a degree of roll stability for the aquaticdevice.

Still further, the subject invention provides a floatable-submersibleaquatic apparatus which may be readily and conveniently manufactured.

While the invention has been described with reference to preferredembodiments, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art thatadditions, deletions, modifications and substitutions or other changesnot specifically described may be made which will fall within thepurview of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A submersible aquatic apparatus comprising:

a substantially hollow shell exteriorly formed in the configuration ofan aquatic animal,

said shell having ports in the fore and aft portions thereof for thefree ingress and egress of water through said shell;

a first buoyancy control member connected to said shell and positionedinteriorly thereof longitudinally along a first lateral interior surfaceof said shell,

said first buoyancy control member including,

flexible impervious wall means,

a filling tube extending into said wall means, and

a valve positioned over a mouth of said filling tube,

said first buoyancy control member being selectively operable to receivethrough said filling tube air to increase the buoyancy of saidsubmersible aquatic apparatus; and

a second buoyancy control member connected to I said'shell andpositioned interiorly thereof longitudinally along a second lateralinterior surface of said shell, said second buoyancy control memberincluding, flexible impervious wall means,

a filling tube extending into said wall means, and

a valve positioned over a mouth of said filling tube,

said second buoyancy control member being selectively operable toreceive through said filling tube air to increase the buoyancy of saidsubmersible aquatic apparatus; and

said first lateral surface being spaced from and generally opposite tosaid second lateral surface within the interior of said shell wherebythe flexible impervious wall means of the first and second buoyancycontrol members may be inflated to block the free flow of water throughthe shell so that water may enter the aft port and push against thefirst and second buoyancy control members to facilitate surfingcapability of the aquatic apparatus.

2. A submersible aquatic apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein saidfirst and second buoyancy control members each further comprise:

a generally elongated bar composed of a material having a specificgravity of less than 1.

3. A submersible aquatic apparatus comprising:

a substantially hollow shell exteriorly formed in the configuration ofan aquatic animal,

said shell having ports in the fore and aft portions thereof for thefree ingress and egress of water through said shell;

a first buoyancy control member connected to said shell and positionedinteriorly thereof longitudinally along a first lateral interior surfaceof said shell;

a second buoyancy control member connected to said shell and positionedinteriorly thereof longitudinally along a second lateral interiorsurface of said shell,

said first lateral surface being spaced from and gener ally opposite tosaid second lateral surface within the interior of said shell; and

said first and second buoyancy control members each comprising,

a generally elongated bar composed of a material having a specificgravity less than l, and

a fluid chamber connected to and coextensive with said generallyelongated bar.

4. A submersible aquatic apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein saidshell is composed of:

a self-supporting rigid plastic material. 5. A'submersible aquaticapparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said rigid plasticshell isexteriorly configued in the shape of:

a dolphin, having an integral tail portion including laterally extendingflukes positioned at the aft end of said shell operable to support arider in a sitting posture,and a pair of integral flippers,

one flipper generally extending normally from a 4 first lateral exteriorsurface of said shell, and one flipper extending generally normally froma second lateral exterior surface of said shell, said flippers beingoperable as hand holds for a rider. 6. A submersible aquatic apparatusas defined in claim 5 and further comprising:

a removable dorsal fin, said fin comprising,

an upstanding fin portion, and a base portion, said base portion havinga generally normally extending protrusion operable to detachably engagewith a recess in an upper aft portion of said shell. 7. A submersibleaquatic apparatis as defined in claim 4 wherein said shell is fashionedwith:

an upper and lower port positioned in general vertical alignment, and

a generally flexible snorkel operably positioned through the upper andlower ports and detachably connected to said shell and having a mouthpiece connected to said snorkel in a posture operably beneath saidshell.

8. A submersible aquatic apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein saidbar is composed of:

a cellular polystyrene material. 9. A submersible aquatic apparatus asdefined in claim 3 wherein said fluid chambers are formed having:

claim 3 wherein said fluid chambers are formed having:

rigid impervious walls;

a filling tube extending into said fluid chamber; and buoyancy of saidsubmersible aquatic apparatus or a valve positioned over a mouth of saidfilling tube, water to decrease the buoyancy of said submersible saidfluid chamber being selectively operable to reaquatic apparatus.

ceive through said filling tube air to increase the

1. A submersible aquatic apparatus comprising: a substantially hollow shell exteriorly formed in the configuration of an aquatic animal, said shell having ports in the fore and aft portions thereof for the free ingress and egress of water through said shell; a first buoyancy control member connected to said shell and positioned interiorly thereof longitudinally along a first lateral interior surface of said shell, said first buoyancy control member including, flexible impervious wall means, a filling tube extending into said wall means, and a valve positioned over a mouth of said filling tube, said first buoyancy control member being selectively operable to receive through said filling tube air to increase the buoyancy of said submersible aquatic apparatus; and a second buoyancy control member connected to said shell and positioned interiorly thereof longitudinally along a second lateral interior surface of said shell, said second buoyancy control member including, flexible impervious wall means, a filling tube extending into said wall means, and a valve positioned over a mouth of said filling tube, said second buoyancy control member being selectively operable to receive through said filling tube air to increase the buoyancy of said submersible aquatic apparatus; and said first lateral surface being spaced from and generally opposite to said second lateral surface within the interior of said shell whereby the flexible impervious wall means of the first and second buoyancy control members may be inflated to block the free flow of water through the shell so that water may enter the aft port and push against the first and second buoyancy control members to facilitate surfing capability of the aquatic apparatus.
 2. A submersible aquatic apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said first and second buoyancy control members each further comprise: a generally elongated bar composed of a material haviNg a specific gravity of less than
 1. 3. A submersible aquatic apparatus comprising: a substantially hollow shell exteriorly formed in the configuration of an aquatic animal, said shell having ports in the fore and aft portions thereof for the free ingress and egress of water through said shell; a first buoyancy control member connected to said shell and positioned interiorly thereof longitudinally along a first lateral interior surface of said shell; a second buoyancy control member connected to said shell and positioned interiorly thereof longitudinally along a second lateral interior surface of said shell, said first lateral surface being spaced from and generally opposite to said second lateral surface within the interior of said shell; and said first and second buoyancy control members each comprising, a generally elongated bar composed of a material having a specific gravity less than 1, and a fluid chamber connected to and coextensive with said generally elongated bar.
 4. A submersible aquatic apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said shell is composed of: a self-supporting rigid plastic material.
 5. A submersible aquatic apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said rigid plastic shell is exteriorly configued in the shape of: a dolphin, having an integral tail portion including laterally extending flukes positioned at the aft end of said shell operable to support a rider in a sitting posture,and a pair of integral flippers, one flipper generally extending normally from a first lateral exterior surface of said shell, and one flipper extending generally normally from a second lateral exterior surface of said shell, said flippers being operable as hand holds for a rider.
 6. A submersible aquatic apparatus as defined in claim 5 and further comprising: a removable dorsal fin, said fin comprising, an upstanding fin portion, and a base portion, said base portion having a generally normally extending protrusion operable to detachably engage with a recess in an upper aft portion of said shell.
 7. A submersible aquatic apparatis as defined in claim 4 wherein said shell is fashioned with: an upper and lower port positioned in general vertical alignment, and a generally flexible snorkel operably positioned through the upper and lower ports and detachably connected to said shell and having a mouth piece connected to said snorkel in a posture operably beneath said shell.
 8. A submersible aquatic apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said bar is composed of: a cellular polystyrene material.
 9. A submersible aquatic apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said fluid chambers are formed having: flexible impervious walls; a filling tube extending into said fluid chamber; and a valve positioned over a mouth of said filling tube, said fluid chamber being selectively operable to receive through said filling tube air to increase the buoyancy of said submersible aquatic apparatus or water to decrease the buoyancy of said submersible aquatic apparatus.
 10. A submersible aquatic apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said fluid chambers are formed having: rigid impervious walls; a filling tube extending into said fluid chamber; and a valve positioned over a mouth of said filling tube, said fluid chamber being selectively operable to receive through said filling tube air to increase the buoyancy of said submersible aquatic apparatus or water to decrease the buoyancy of said submersible aquatic apparatus. 